Rhode Island security deposit law

Read from the statute itself on 2026-11-09. Statewide rule; a city or county can add its own.

Maximum deposit: 1 month of rent
Return deadline: 20 days
Interest: Not required by the statute

Capped at one month's rent, returned within twenty (20) days after the latest of the tenancy's end, delivery of possession or the tenant's forwarding address. An extra furniture deposit of up to one month's rent is allowed when the furniture's replacement value is $5,000 or more.

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 · read on 2026-11-09

Calculate it for your rent

State

Monthly rent ($)

Maximum legal deposit

$2,500

Up to 1 month of rent under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19.

Return deadline

20 days

Within 20 days after the latest of the tenancy's end, delivery of possession and the tenant's forwarding address. Wrongful withholding costs twice the amount plus attorney fees.

Interest required

Not required by the statute

Rhode Island: Capped at one month's rent, returned within twenty (20) days after the latest of the tenancy's end, delivery of possession or the tenant's forwarding address. An extra furniture deposit of up to one month's rent is allowed when the furniture's replacement value is $5,000 or more.

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 · read on 2026-11-09

Rhode Island: common questions

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Rhode Island?

Up to 1 month of rent under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19. Capped at one month's rent, returned within twenty (20) days after the latest of the tenancy's end, delivery of possession or the tenant's forwarding address. An extra furniture deposit of up to one month's rent is allowed when the furniture's replacement value is $5,000 or more.

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Rhode Island?

20 days. Within 20 days after the latest of the tenancy's end, delivery of possession and the tenant's forwarding address. Wrongful withholding costs twice the amount plus attorney fees.

Not legal advice. Confirm with a local landlord-tenant attorney before relying on a figure.

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<iframe src="https://www.proprietio.com/embed/security-deposit-calculator?state=ri" title="Security deposit calculator by state" width="100%" height="820" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe>
<p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Free <a href="https://www.proprietio.com/tools/security-deposit-calculator">security deposit calculator by state</a> by Proprietio.</p>